Handle-covering.



W. E. ZIMMEHMAN.

HANDLE COVERING. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23, I9I5.

Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

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' I hereinafter refer,

D STATE PATENT UFFIfiE.

HANDLE-COVERING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

Application filed June 23, 1915. Serial No. 35,852.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM EDWARD ZIMMERMAN, citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Owosso', in the county of Shiawassee and State ofMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inHandle-Coverings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved handle covering which when appliedto a bat handle affords a means by which one can secure-a firm grip uponthe same, also the rom the handsof the batsman are greatly if nottotally eliminated.

Heretofore it has been customary to provide a covering for a handle byeither wrapping a portion of the same with adhesiye tape, cord or thelike, or else provide a rubber tubing the diameter of which ispractically the same as the handle to which it is applied, but in boththese instances there are objections thereto, the'tape soon loses itsadhesive qualities, the handle slips out. These objections are overcomeby the use of my special grip, first by making the diameter of the sameslightly smaller than that ofthe handle to which it is applied, secondby making the walls of the grip gradually increase in thickness from thefront to the knob end thereof and third to provide a. fastening meanswhereby the grip is securely held in position upon I the handle.

In the accompanying drawings, towhich Figure 1 is a sectional view of myhandle covering and Fig. 2 is a portion of a handle to which thecovering is adapted to be applied.

A designates a handle covering which is composed of rubber and is madein the form of a tube closed at one end by a knob portion B. The wallsof the tubing are made rather thin'at their front or open end andgradually increase in thickness as they approach the knob portion. Itshould also be stated that the diameter of the tube at its open end isslightly less than that of the handle to which it is applied and ofcourse the gradual increasing in thickness of the walls makes thediameter of the tubing decrease as it approaches the knob. Thisconstruction has a decided advantage over one in which the diameter ofthe tubing is the same throughout, as the farther the tube or the tubingstretches and v grip is shoved upon'the handle the tighter it willenvelop the same.

In order to positively secure the tube upon the handle I provide aspecial fastening means which consists in circumferentially grooving thebat handle adjacent the heel thereof as shown at C and providing acircumferential lug D upon the inside of the tube adjacent the closedend thereof. \Vhen the tube is applied to the handle and the lug engageswithin the groove it will be impossible to withdraw the same unless cut.When in its applied position the tubing is slightly spaced from the itsend so as to provide an air chamberas shown at E.. This chamber isvented by means of an opening F extending through the knob portion ofthe tubing. The purpose of this air chamber is to prevent the tubing onits interior from becoming dry and parched which is liable to soondestroy the elasticity of the grip and render it useess.

ferred'embodiment of my invention but wish it-to beunderstood thatdepartures therefrom may be had without limiting the scope or spirit ofthe claims, for instance, it may be applied to bats, golf clubs,portable flag poles, crank handles and all kinds of tool handles.

What I claim is:

1. A grip for handles, comprising a tube the diameter of which variesthroughout its length, said tube being closed atone end, and meanswithin the tube adjacent said closed end for securing the tube inposition.

"2. A grip for handles, comprising an elastic tube the diameter of whichvaries throughout its length, a knob portion on the end of said tube andhaving a vent opening in said knob and a lug on the inside of the tubeadjacent said knob portion.

3. The combination of a bat handle provided with a groove, of a grippingmember adapted to envelop the handle and provided with a lug adapted toengage in the groove in the handle thereby securely locking the grippingmember to said handle.

. In testimony whereof I affix my in the presence of two witnesses.

'W. EDWARD ZIMMERMAN.

signature Witnesses:

ELLIS F. WILSON, A. H. CHANDLER.

heel of the bat at- I have described in the foregoing the pretennisrackets, cricket-

